Eastern Connecticut Catholics joined their worldwide brethren Monday in praying for the health of Pope Benedict XVI, who announced his resignation effective Feb. 28 in a virtually unprecedented move.

The pontiff, 85, becomes the first pope in 600 years to voluntarily step down.

“After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry,” Benedict said in a statement released through the Vatican. “I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.”

During an afternoon Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Norwich, Father Tomasz Albrecht led about 15 people in a call to prayer for Benedict.

“We ask God to grant him the grace of strength and good health,” Albrecht said.

The Norwich diocese counts about 250,000 members and has parishes from Somers to Fishers Island, N.Y.

Local clergy shared the surprise expressed by Catholic leaders globally in reacting to Monday’s news.

“This is an extraordinary moment. It is a moment of courage and humility for this pope,” the Most Rev. Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich, said in a press release. “He has made a choice that will ensure that the demands of the office will continue to be met with the vigor required in these exceptional times.”

Benedict was 78 when he was chosen to succeed John Paul II on April 29, 2005, becoming the oldest pope ever. He’s the first to relinquish the papacy since Gregory XII in 1415.

Benedict’s departure sets up a mid-March conclave to elect the next pope, who is expected to be in place by Easter Sunday.

Norwich resident Dennis Riley said Benedict acted in the best interest of his faith by stepping down before he became ineffective.

“He knows best. It’s his call. He’s God’s representative, so we pray for him and wish him well,” Riley said.

The Rev. John O’Neill, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Danielson, said it’s an appropriate date to welcome a new leader.

“What a wonderful time to have the pope installed and continue the church’s good leadership from the very beginning,” he said.

Joseph Lee, who attended Monday’s Mass in Norwich, said he was taken aback.

“It doesn’t happen too often. He’s been very good for us. That’s why it came as a surprise,” Lee said.

Albrecht told parishioners Monday he had confidence in the College of Cardinals, the international body that chooses popes.

“This is not the first situation in the history of the church, so please pray for the power of the cardinals to pick the right man for the job,” he said. “The Lord always provides the right pope for the right time.”

Page 2 of 2 - O’Neill, who twice met Benedict’s predecessor, agreed.

“I think he’s done very well. He hung in there and did a good job in really trying times,” said O’Neill. “The cardinals all know each other, but it’s the Lord who makes the decision.”

Contenders to be Benedict’s successor include Cardinal Angelo Scola, archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, archbishop of Vienna, and Cardinal Marc Ouellet, the Canadian head of the Vatican’s office for bishops. Long-shot candidates include Cardinal Timothy Dolan, of New York. Although Dolan is popular and backs the pope’s conservative line, being from a world power will probably not count in his favor. That might also rule out Cardinal Raymond Burke, an archconservative and the Vatican’s top judge, even if he is known and respected by most Vatican cardinals. Burke used to be archbishop of St. Louis.